Agartha

Chapter ten

A month and a half passed. Ragnar and I stopped talking, except for official matters. Grandpa blamed it on me being as difficult as usual. He kept his duty to guard me at the Center and I kept instructing the prince. His proximity was painful, but I had no choice, my responsibilities at the Center were bigger now and had to spend a lot of time there.

My classes changed, I had mostly private tutors because I was an “exceptional case”. In regular circumstances, a witch’s magic grows and develops according to her knowledge level, practice and time. In my case, the magic is remarkably strong because of my bloodline, and I had never used it before, it developed according to my chronological evolution trapped inside me. It´s a mess…

The other issue my tutors report is that I “think like a human”, it makes sense since I was one of them until recently. Here, being a human is a big tragedy, humans are descendants of wizards fallen from grace ages ago. So, my teachers report my “human kind of thinking” as something serious. The king already summoned me in private to talk about it and ask me to use that “freaking wand”. I try to pretend I use it, but my nails became crystal for not using it, so there´s no way to hide it.

In a week, we will be having a ball… yes, a ball; to celebrate the anniversary of the last battle that ended the great war and our last victory. My protocol tutor has been instructing me on dancing and how to receive all our guests. Nobles from everywhere are coming, I´m a little nervous because no one knows me, most of them haven´t heard a word about me.

The ladies of the family have been making their dresses and teaching me, LOVE IT! All green and golden, no other choice there… But I´m shaking things up a bit. My dress has no sleeves (shocking for my grandma and the queen because only witches considered adults could wear a dress with no sleeves) only golden straps on my shoulders, my corset has metallic parts simulating an armor, like elves wear it. My cape is green velvet (or something that reminded me to velvet) embroiled with golden leaves, matching my annoying wand that I had to carry with me all night long.

I made concessions on the skirt and my head. The skirt will be long but not wide like regular princess´ dresses, mine is a mermaid cut skirt (LOVE MY DRESS!) My head will be “decorated” with a tiara, a golden tiara with emeralds… I hope is a small one, hate the idea of having something on my head. My cousins heard my grandma and the queen complain endlessly about my dress every evening after dinner when we sat at the sewing room. I know they love my dress too but wouldn´t dear to change their dresses and risk the queen and aunt Marilin having a heart attack.

The shoemaker, at the village, is the happiest man alive. He is that kind of people that is contagiously happy. I met him in an official visit at the palace to take orders for our shoes but now I visit every so often to eat his wife´s cakes, play with his children and chat a little. I've learned more about history and geography from him than from all may tutors combined. I insisted in giving him a tutor´s payment but he refused, so I decided that payment will be given to his children for education.

There are schools at all the villages of our land. They all follow instructions from the training center but operate independently. Love going to the villages but is not safe, now people know I´m a royal, although they are not sure how. To get there I have to wait for a visit of my relatives, Ragnar or sneak out.

I've had very little time to relax at my gazebo but the opportunities I had, only the cricket accompanied me, Ragnar never returned. I miss him…

***

Tonight, is the ball. I've been so nervous I made my tub explode amazingly before taking my bath, making my relatives run to my room. Everybody laughed, they realized I’m nervous, it was humiliating. My dress and my shoes are gorgeous! The shoes have no high heels, it´s not a thing in Agartha. The freaking tiara came at my grandma´s hands with tears included and the it was your mother´s speech. Felt nothing, I´m so sorry but I didn´t know her… I miss my mom…

Witches don´t use makeup, luckily I had some foundation, eyeliner and mascara in my purse. I´m sorry but a dress without foundation on your face is like wearing a tuxedo with flipflops… My cousins were all excited about makeup, it´s our little secret.

Rain delayed everybody´s arrival. For me it was great! Instead of the awkward protocol with all of us receiving and saluting our guests at the entrance of the ballroom, with -most likely- a bunch of questions about me, we stayed inside. The king and queen had the most beautiful thrones. My grandparents had chairs at their left and my uncle, his wife and son at their right. The rest of us, the kids, were at the second table, the one next to the throne.

There were many tables surrounding the dance floor, one for each noble family; including the elf king, his family, the General and some highborn elves. Tables were occupied little by little and by eight pm all guests had arrived and sat at their tables. Every window in the enormous, elegant, marble room had one musical instrument playing by itself. Odd but interesting.

At eight thirty, the king lifted his wand, made a huge light bubble and sent it to the center of the dance floor. The music stopped and the bubble exploded in thousands of shining golden dots, like a bright gold rain. It called everyone´s attention. After short applauses, the king gave a speech, thanking everyone´s presence and naming the most remarkable guests. He opened the dance with his beautiful wife floating inches from the ground and dancing around. My grandparents and uncle were next. After them, the rulers of every land joined the dance floor, and my twin cousins with their friends (I would say dates but they weren´t exactly that, I think they were just friends). Erik approached to his sister Kiryat and bowed extending his hand to her, she gave me a glance like not wanting to leave me alone at the table, I gave her my happiest smile encouraging her to go. I wanted to dance (I had practiced so hard) but I didn´t know anyone there.

The feeling of a stare made me turn, and it was Ragnar. He looked stunning with his gala uniform. It was white and golden, he looked like a prince, a strong and fierce one. He is not the delicate type of guy, he looks like a Rockstar. The bad boy with a secret soft spot. As soon as I turned to him, he looked away. I was there by myself and he didn´t ask me to dance… what a jerk…

I decided to go outside to take some fresh air, but someone bowed in front of me offering his hand. He was a wizard, no doubt. He was wearing red; it means he is a noble from the west lands.

“My lady, may I have the honor?” I took his hand, he guided me to the dance floor, and we danced wonderfully, floating around. Such a gentleman he was. His name is Etan, we got to speak a little during dancing. After two songs, music stopped and the flowers at every table began to spread golden glitter. That glitter became amazing dishes, and everyone approached their tables to have dinner. Etan walked me to the throne were the king was waiting for me to officially introduce me as a princess and give a superficial explanation about where I was all this years. The rulers of every land said a few words and we all ate.

I was admired by every character there. They were all so grateful, honorable, humble… Agartha has some very good people. Other than the wizards from the black lands, every single person I've met is pleasant.

Once dinner was over, everything got more relaxed. My grandparents requested my company while they were saluting his guests. I´d been formally introduced as their granddaughter, which triggered many questions, but they gracefully avoided them. A lot of them knew about my participation in the last attack we suffered, and it assured them I belonged to the royal house´s bloodline.

After some time, I excused myself and headed outside to relax a little, maybe at my gazebo. A few steps outside the salon, a charming voice called. “Your highness!”

I turned and saw Etan. “Hello, prince Etan”.

“Your highness, I don´t mean to be rude but I would like to keep you company if it´s not inconvenient to you”

“It is not. I appreciate the gesture”

We sat on a wet bench outside the salon, there were other groups of people around and we had a nice conversation. He is soon to become the king of his land (soon here means about thirty years); his father wants to abdicate because his advanced age. Conversation was agreeable. We talked about regular things (regular for Agartha´s standards). Had the chance to evaluate his character and it was strong but understanding. An intelligent man.

“My lady, I know you are a noble of the green and golden kingdom, our sovereigns and protectors, but I don´t understand how. I hope my interest doesn´t disturb you”

“It does not. I am Asaf and Antinoo´s granddaughter, I was born during the great war and my family sent me away to protect me”

“The great war?” He looked perplexed.

My cousin Hari was listening and came closer saying “Yes, prince Etan, my cousin was born during the great war. She is the same age as my little sister Kiryat” (my twin cousins were about eighty-five years old).

He widened his eyes even more. Oh… yeah… the age thing… I was expecting an apology and escape, but he just smirked.

“Well, I would have guessed you were about eighty-two as myself, your highness” (that is supposed to be a compliment…)

“Thank you, prince Etan, you are most kind” (I want to hit him with my shoe)

“Please, just Etan, princess”

“Please, just Galia, Etan”

“Galia, did you know Etan and I went to the training center together and had been promised to each other by our families?”

Oh, hell… I blushed like a tomato.

“No, I didn´t know that…” My voice was trembling

“Relax” She laughed “We broke the agreement about twenty-five years ago. I like someone else and prince Etan didn´t like to be engaged at such young age”

“Which was a shame, Hari. You are a most accomplished witch. Too bad admiration is not enough to sustain a relationship” Etan said jokingly.

Awkward…

Someone approached grabbing Hari´s hand, kissing it and bowing to all of us without keeping his eyes off her.

“Princess Galia, have you met my brother?” He looked like a more serious version of Etan. This was even more awkward…

After the proper presentation, things got more casual and we enjoyed ourselves. Afterwards, we danced a little more. I finally felt like making friends and having a life.

The four of us spent all night hanging out together and made plans for breakfast at the gardens. The party was over. According to the protocol, party is over after the king and queen say their farewells and leave.

I was about to leave too, the red land princes wished us good night and left. All guests had beautiful and well-equipped tents that looked more like small palaces on the inside. On my way to the palace, Ragnar´s voice stopped me.

“Princess Galia, I would like to have a word with you”

“Yes, General. How can I help you?”

“I made plans for breakfast. My king is formally inviting you to join us tomorrow morning”

“My apologies, General. I already made plans for breakfast. You should have consulted me first”

“True, I should have. May I know about your plans”

“No”

“Remember I’m your guardian”

“True, you are. I´m having breakfast at the gardens with some friends”

His eyes darkened. He didn´t like it but he decided to stay away from me and I’m not the type of women who sits and cry over a man´s rejection. I miss him… but it was his decision.

“Are you getting close to prince Etan?”

“I didn´t mention him”

“But you are not denying it, and he kept you company all night long”

“Lucky me… Good night, General” My anger was rising and my eyes shining blue, so it was better leave.

“GALIA!” I turned back to him widening my eyes scolding at his tone. He lowered his voice “you look beautiful…” My heart softened but wouldn´t let him know, I was too hurt.

I bowed and left.